Disclaimer: You guys remember the actor that played Tom Riddle in CoS? He's really attractive. Oh and I don't own Harry Potter. Also, some lines in this chapter are taken out of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. You'll recognize them.

I'm living with five people, but I've never felt more alone in my life.

For the past week, I've only been going through the motions.

Wake up, have breakfast, get ignored, have lunch, get ignored, have dinner, get ignored, read a book, and go to sleep. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

I expected it from my parents and the Malfoys, but honestly, not from Draco.

For the past couple of weeks, we had been acting very...normal. Barely any fighting, making casual conversation, and even cracking an occasional smile. I thought that we would be able to put aside our differences and actually attempt to be friendly.

But last night, Draco took all of those ideas and murdered them.

It made me feel so foolish to know that I had actually grown to appreciate Draco's company. I truly believed that we were on the road to becoming friends, or at least civil acquaintances, despite the circumstances. How wrong I was.

And that just made me angry, rather than hurt.

The way Draco could go from a caring person to a cruel monster gave me whiplash.

I refused to be fooled by him again.

A faint pop echoed through a narrow alley, bringing with it a slim hooded figure. The person only momentarily steadied themselves before taking off down the alley, the black cloak flying out like a cape. Another pop sounded, followed by a frustrated shout.

"Cissy – wait!"

Bellatrix LeStrange caught her sister by the arm and tugged sharply. Narcissa spun to face her, the determined glint in her eye only growing stronger.

"Go back, Bella," Narcissa snapped, wrenching her arm away in a flash. "Leave me alone!"

"Listen to me!" Bellatrix hissed, trying to grab for his sister's arm again. "Just think about what you're doing!"

"I've thought about it and already made my decision," Narcissa said simply but sternly and began to weave her way through the dark and foggy alleyways.

Bellatrix clenched her jaw but followed her sister nonetheless until they stopped in front of a rundown brick house with dark shutters.

"This?" Bellatrix questioned. "This is where he lives?"

Narcissa was about to knock on the door when Bellatrix pulled her back again.

"Narcissa – please, listen to me," Bellatrix was frantic. "You can't trust him, you know you can't..."

"The Dark Lord trusts him, does he not?" Narcissa asked harshly. "And that's good enough for me."

"The Dark Lord...is...uh...perhaps...mistaken," It looked like it pained Bellatrix to slip the words out of her mouth. "This is a betrayal of the Dark Lord's..."

"Let me go or I'll curse you," Narcissa warned in a deep tone, her hand itching towards her wand pocket.

Bellatrix gave a hearty screech that disturbed the nearby birds on the fence. "You'll curse me? Your own sister? You wouldn't do that."

"There's nothing I wouldn't do anymore," Narcissa protested desperately, and before Bellatrix could stop her, knocked on the front door.

A man opened the door a few seconds later, and seemed surprised to see the frantic woman. "Narcissa," he said, "What is the matter?" He opened the door farther and revealed her sister. "And Bellatrix."

"Severus," Narcissa brought her hands in front of her in an almost pleading gesture. "I must speak with you."

Snape nodded, "Of course, come in." He opened the door completely and stepped aside as Narcissa and Bellatrix entered his home. Once they reached the main room Snape offered them the couch.

Narcissa removed her cloak and took a seat nervously, while Bellatrix remained standing and only lowered her hood cautiously.

"What can I do for you?" Snape finally asked.

"I think you are the only one who can help me," Narcissa began, putting her trembling hands into her lap. "I know I probably shouldn't be here, as I have been specifically instructed not to mention this to anyone-"

"Then you need to hold your tongue, Cissy!" Bellatrix's shrill voice filled the room. "Especially in present company."

"Present company?" Snape repeated, subtly amused. "How do you mean?"

"You know I don't trust you, Snape," Bellatrix spat, crossing her arms in annoyance. "For a hundred reasons – or more!"

"I do not blame you, Bellatrix. I have played my part well over the years," Snape replied, waving his arm indifferently. "Dumbledore trusts me implicitly, and I have not wavered in my duties to the Dark Lord."

Bellatrix scoffed, but didn't say anything more.

Snape turned back to Narcissa, "Now...what would you need me for?"

Narcissa began, "Yes...well, the Dark Lord has forbidden me to speak of it but-"

"If the Dark Lord wants you to keep silent than that's what you must do," Snape interrupted.

Narcissa gasped, widening her eyes in despair.

"See!" Bellatrix shouted smugly, "Even Snape says to keep quiet."

"But I know of what you're asking me," Snape said, suddenly. "The Dark Lord has told me of the plan."

A relieved smile graced Narcissa's lips while Bellatrix gasped indignantly.

"You? The Dark Lord told you?" she asked.

"He has," Snape confirmed before turning to Narcissa. "I do not know what you would require my help for. If you're asking me to persuade the Dark Lord to change his mind, then you will go home unfulfilled. I will not be able to accomplish that."

"Severus," Narcissa whispered breathlessly. "My son...he's only a boy."

"I can't change the Dark Lord's mind."

"Draco should be proud!" Bellatrix added. "This is a great honor you know. And Draco seems to be handling the duty well."

"This is not right," Narcissa shook her head earnestly. "He's only sixteen, he has no idea what this means for him! This is Miro's doing...he...he took Draco to see him...and then..." Narcissa trailed off, trying to make sense of it all.

"Miro spoke to the Dark Lord, yes," Snape admitted. "But that is not only why Draco was chosen."

Narcissa paused, "Is this punishment for my husband's failure at the Department of Mysteries? It's not a secret that Lucius is frowned upon during this time."

"If Draco succeeds, he will be honored above all the others," Snape said, looking away. "Your family will be redeemed."

"But he won't succeed!" Narcissa shrieked. "This is an impossible mission, you must know this?"

"I still do not know what you wish for me to do?"

"You're Draco's favorite professor...you're Lucius' friend...you're the Dark Lord's trusted advisor...if you would just speak to him...persuade him..." Narcissa rambled on, tears sliding down her cheeks.

"I cannot pretend that the Dark Lord isn't angry with Lucius. He was supposed retrieve the prophecy, which he did not, and escaped empty-handed. He's very angry," Snape admitted.

"Then it is punishment! The Dark Lord doesn't want Draco to succeed; he wants him to be killed in the process!" Narcissa let out a convulsive sob and seemed to lose all of her control. She slid down onto her knees as her body shook with sobs, and it was a pitiful sight.

Snape grabbed a hold of her robes and lifted her up slowly before placing her back on the couch. He seemed to hesitate for a moment.

"It might be possible...for me to help Draco," he spoke slowly and softly.

Narcissa immediately quieted and looked up at Snape with wide eyes. "Severus?"

"I can try to look after him...see he comes to no harm."

Narcissa looked hopeful for the first time that day. "Will you swear to it? Make the Unbreakable Vow?"

"The Unbreakable Vow?" Snape repeated, his expression blank.

Bellatrix cackled loudly. "You see, Cissy? He'll try the best he can...but when it comes down to it, he'll just slither away...like a coward."

Snape's expression didn't change, but his eyes did darken. "I will make the vow," he stated simply and turned a dark eye to Bellatrix. "You will be the Bonder?"

Bellatrix's face was a mixture of shock and astonishment, and she faltered slightly in reply.

Snape held out his hand to Narcissa, which she accepted tightly. After Bellatrix found her wits, she held out her wand over the linked arms.

"Will you, Severus, watch over Draco as he attempts to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes?" she asked.

"I will," Snape murmured.

"And will you, to the best of your ability, keep him from harm?"

"I will."

"And if Draco should fail, will you carry out the deed yourself?"

Snape paused for a few moments. The room was deathly silent.

"I will," he finally said, and the vow was made.

I was in the kitchen eating some grapes when Draco and Lucius appeared in the floo fireplace. They had been gone the whole day, and it was now after midnight.

Tomorrow was September 1st, meaning we had to catch the Hogwarts express in the morning.

Lucius immediately vacated the area, and Draco began to walk towards me. I almost thought he was going to stop and talk to me, but I felt like a fool again when he merely opened up the refrigerator and grabbed some pumpkin juice.

"Where have you been all day?" I asked harshly as he poured himself a glass.

He glanced at me sideways, "None of your business," he snapped, slamming the refrigerator door closed when he put back the juice.

"Whatever, git," I mumbled, and as he cleared the kitchen I threw a grape him.

Childish, I know, but it still made me laugh.

I heard him mutter something about 'immature antics' as he ascended the stairs.

I actually was curious about where he had been all day, but I tried not to think about it. I had other things to focus on, like making sure I was all set for tomorrow.

Back in my room, I double checked my Hogwarts trunk before hopping into bed. My nerves and excitement made it difficult, but I eventually fell asleep.

I woke up early the next morning and completed my daily hygiene regimen. I contemplated maybe just putting on my uniform so I wouldn't have to change later, but thought against it. Usually on first years did that.

I looked around my room for the last time. Last time in Malfoy Manor. Like time in this room. Probably last time in a room for a while. During Hogwarts, I would have to look for some type of job. When this year ended, I would have nowhere to live, and I needed money to be able to rent an apartment or something.

But I tried not to think about that now, I had time to prepare.

Dragging my case down the stairs quickly, I could barely contain my anticipation to leave. Nobody else was downstairs yet, so I had a quick breakfast and then waited on the couch.

I had nearly fallen back to sleep when I heard footsteps on the stairs, and I saw Draco bringing down his case. He didn't say one word to me as he place his case next to mine and called for a house elf to bring him breakfast.

There was another difference between us; he would usually ask the elf house to do everything, cook, clean, etc, while I would just do it myself.

Sitting still was an issue as I watched Draco leisurely eat some waffles. He wasn't nearly eating fast enough.

"Come on and hurry up!" I finally shouted, exasperated.

For the first time in a week, Draco looked subtly amused.

He didn't answer, but did start to eat even slower.

I sighed explosively and tried to reach for his plate. I was really getting annoyed.

Draco pulled his plate away with quick reflexes and gave me an annoyed look. "You're a child," he stated simply, not giving me any attention after that.

And then finally he was done, and just in time too because the Malfoys and my parents came down the steps.

"Are you ready to go?" Lucius asked Draco, ignoring me altogether.

Again, I was used to this.

"Yes, father," Draco replied.

Lucius simply nodded.

As Draco hugged his mother and said farewell to his father, I dragged my bag to the fireplace and stood there impatiently. No one sought me out to say goodbye, but it didn't matter, because neither did I.

Draco finally joined me in the fireplace, but before we left, my father had a couple words of farewell.

"There will be many changes for you when you return home. I hope you are prepared to suffer from your actions," His voice was low and authoritative.

I wanted to hold my tongue, but I couldn't help but add a few parting words.

"Oh but father, I am never coming home."

And I threw down the floo powder.

A/N: Gotta get back to Hogwarts! Gotta get back to school! Officially beginning the Hogwarts chapter, yay! And Christina starts her first days of independence. As many know, it isn't easy for first timers. We'll see what happens and how Draco plays a role (; Oh, and like I said, most of the Snape/Narcissa/Bellatrix scene comes from Half Blood Prince, though I did try to put it in my own words. Anyway, R&R!